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Buying for your baby

If you're expecting a baby and need a little help to get your shopping list in order, Netmums are here to help! Here's our ultimate buying guide to all those essential (and not so essential) newborn purchases.

What you REALLY need

Contrary to popular belief, babies don't have to cost a fortune (though admittedly it is very tempting to splash the cash on those oh-so-cute items, especially if it's your first baby) and although you need to set aside a certain amount of money for those essential items, many not-so important buys can be left to family and friends, bought second hand or skipped completely. 

It's also important to seriously consider your lifestyle and select products that compliment it well - how many times have you heard parents say they used their pram for just three months before swapping to a lighter, more manageable version? The sheer volume of nearly new baby items on netmums are testament that us parents can indeed get a little carried away on those first few shopping trips, only to find that the products we've bought are a hindrance rather than a help or we simply don't need them at all... 

Essential items - The big buys

Pushchair: Unless you plan to carry your baby everywhere for the first few months, a pram or pushchair is your number one essential. The market is flooded with all manner of styles, each with their own specific design and accessories so it's pretty important to do your homework, read other mums reviews and decide on a model that fits your lifestyle. Prams can be bulky heavy things so if you live on a top floor or have a small car, don't go for the biggest off-road option, stick to something a little more compact that's easy to manoeuvre and haul onto a bus if you need to. On the flip side those who live in the country and love nothing more than a good walk on the weekend will be best off with chunky wheels and a top notch suspension. In short, think about your needs and buy a pram that fits them.

Car seat: The law requires you to secure your baby safely in the backseat of your car with a Group 0/0+ car seat, in fact you're unlikely to be allowed to leave the hospital until the nurse has witnessed you buckle your new little bundle of joy into their seat. Infant car seats usually face backwards though there is a growing array of lie-flat models that sit sideways across the back two seats of the car. These are relatively new to the market but are worth considering - especially if you have a premature or low birth weight baby or your newborn has been diagnosed with a respiratory illness.

Most infant car seats are secured by clicking into a base on the back seat, or routed with the seatbelt. A newer and safer option is isofix but you can only buy an isofix seat if your car has the correct points on the back seat of the car. Feel behind the seat for little isofix tags which indicate where the points are. If they aren't in place, you can always get in touch with the car manufacturer to see if they offer an isofix fitting service.

Cot: Your little one will sleep in this until they are big enough for their very own bed and although they might seem tiny in it initially, their little limbs will soon fill it! Moses baskets and cribs provide a nice cosy home for the first few months, but if the budget is tight, it's perfectly fine to skip these and go straight for a cot. You're going to need one eventually anyway...

As with most baby gear, styles and designs vary greatly so opt for one that suits you and the size of the nursery. Some cots are extendable or have the handy knack of fully transforming into a bed when your tot no longer needs the protective bars of a cot. These are a practical buy as they offer a bed for all stages from birth to toddler-hood and beyond, saving you £££'s in the process. Cots can be bought second hand but it's important to buy a new mattress. If you can't afford one, always check the mattress is in good condition - firm, not soft and entirely free from tears or any other visible damage. It will also need a good clean before you use it and buy a mattress protector! Believe us, they are worth it...

 

Essentials - day to day items

Nappies are a must have from day one! You'll need at least one pack to get started and one or two reusable nappies with wraps if you're planning to give them a try. Many councils offer trial packs or incentive schemes to entice new mums to give real nappies a shot so it's worth getting in touch before baby's arrival to find out what's on offer. If you want to wait until your baby's a little older, there are plenty of ethical disposable alternatives to the bog standard variety. Nature Boy & Girl, Moltex, Wiona and Tushies nappies are just some of the brands that contain bio-degradable materials, giving you the convenience of a disposable without all those land-polluting chemicals.

Changing mat - unless you want to risk an exploding nappy all over the carpet, a changing mat is essential - both at home and on the go. Modern options are relatively inexpensive and you can buy some great wipe-free fabric options that fold down to a minuscule size for trips out. You'll also need a set of wipes or cotton wool and water to clean your baby's bottom.   

Baby vests/bodysuits/babygros - these will be your tot's staple wardrobe for the first few weeks, so it's worth stocking up before the big day. You'll need around 6 vests, 6 long sleeves bodysuits and six sleepsuits for them to wear at night (useful for the day too). Check there are poppers at the crotch for quick and easy nappy changes and to prevent nasty skin rashes or outbreaks of eczema, stick to pure cotton or opt for organic options. These are less expensive than you might think and will last your tot at least three-four months or longer. If your baby is arriving in the winter a warm winter suit with hat and booties, woolly cardigan or coat will keep them warm whilst out and about.   

sheets and blankets - Buy a set of sheets that can be fitted to the cot -these are simple to put on and are safer for baby as they'll prevent any ends from creeping up and into the cot. Sheets often come in sets and it's best to buy in accordance with the seasons - thin cotton for summer, flannelette or terry sheets for winter.

One or two blankets will suffice to keep your baby warm whether at home or on the go and many parents swear by a gro-bag - otherwise known as baby sleeping bags. These are easy to use and have the handy knack of keeping your baby cocooned inside for the entire night so you don't have to worry about them kicking the covers off. Gro-bags come in different tog ratings to suit the seasons so always check that you're buying the correct weight for the time of year your baby is due to arrive.  

Muslins cloths - a few mums claim to manage without these but overall, they are a pretty important buy! Muslins are basically squares of cloth that can be used for all manner of practical uses - protecting your clothing during a post-feeding burping session, putting under your baby's chin during feeds, mopping up dribble or as a comforter (many babys get hooked on these as they are used so often in the first few months).

Feeding equipment

Breastfeeding is hugely economical when it comes to feeding babies - in fact you'll only really need some breast pads for the first few weeks, perhaps some nipple cream or cooling pads if things get sore. Breast pumps are a godsend if you're in it for the long haul as they help you to extract milk and store it in the fridge or freezer for a later date (women with a big milk supply find them particularly useful as they can use the pump to take off any excess milk that might be causing discomfort).    

If breastfeeding doesn't work out or you make the decision to bottle feed, you'll need a selection of bottles, formula milk and a steriliser. Your babies feeding equipment needs to be scrupulously clean to keep germs and infection at bay so sterilisers are an absolute essential (breastfeeding mums also need to sterilise breast pump parts and any bottles they use for storing milk). There are three different types to choose from:-

cold water sterilisers: practical and at the lower end of the price range though can take longer to sterilise than other options

 microwave sterilisers: ideal if you only need to clean a few bottles and teats at a time, quick sterilisation 

    electric sterilisers: generally the most popular, these use steam to clean up to 8 bottles, teats and accessories at a time. Many electric sterilisers come with additional accessories such as internal bottle slots, a bottle cleaning brush and teat holders.

Highchairs - these are not needed from birth and you won't need to consider one until your baby starts to show signs of readiness to be weaned. Highchairs are pricey purchases - ranging from around £50 for the most basic options to a staggering £300 for the designer-esque models. Many parents opt for second hand highchairs to cut down costs or a fabric- style clip on seat that fastens to the chair or table. These are a fantastic practical solution for space-saving parents and are available at a fraction of the price of standard highchairs.

Non essentials - what can wait and why...

Sling - many mums swear by slings and if you decide the minute your baby is born that you want that close physical touch as much as possible, a sling is worth considering. According to pro-sling mums, they help with bonding and can help your tot to feel more confident in the big wide world once they grow old enough to sit in their own buggy. On the flip side, feeding, sleep times and all those other baby moments can ensure plenty of close contact with your little one and there is always a point (usually around 4 months) when all that carrying becomes a bit of a strain on the back and a buggy brings a much needed dose of relief! It's a choice that's really dependent on you as a parent and what's most important to you so think about it carefully before parting with your cash.

Baby monitor - if your baby is going to be sleeping in your room for the first few months, monitors really serve no purpose as you're guaranteed to hear them when they wake. However, if you're the type of parent who likes to hear every wriggle, squirm and cry, they are worth considering, if anything to put your mind at rest if you need to pop down to make a bottle or quick cuppa whilst they have a day time nap. If you can wait until you're ready to move them into their own room, it will give you extra time to shop around for a good value model with all the features you require.  

Baby bath - cute as they are, baby baths will only last your baby a few months and can be a pricey way to keep them clean when they will go into the big bath eventually anyway. Your money is far better spent on a much less expensive support seat that keeps your baby safe during bath times. Ergonomically designed to fit baby's body and with suction caps to firmly grip to the bottom of the bath, they also free up your hands to give them a wash and tend to any other children in the bath at the same time. Genius.

Hooded baby towels - towels are towels. yes it's nice to have a specially shaped towel that wraps perfectly around your baby's body, but your own set of fluffy towels will do the job just as nicely.

Baby shampoos and bath products - baby's just need pure water to keep them clean so there's no need to splash out on expensive 'baby' bath and skincare products. Many of these are laden with chemicals and are best avoided during the first few months, if not longer. If you feel water simply isn't enough to keep your tot clean, shop around for a natural alternative that's free from parabens and therefore, kinder to young, sensitive skins.

Bouncy chair/door swing/bouncer/playmat - as lovely as these are, they are expensive and your baby is likely to use them for a limited amount of time. You can opt for a makeshift alternive by laying a blanket or soft rug on the floor and creating your own hanging mobile with coloured shapes of card or fabric. Its not difficult to do and might even present a welcome project for you to embark on during the early stages of new mummy-hood.

Travel cot - if you travel regularly to parents or for work, a travel cot is certainly worth considering, but if it's for the odd trip throughout the year, think again. Most holiday destinations will offer travel cots free of charge and you can always hire one or borrow one from friends when the need arises.  

   

Be thrifty

Being thrifty will save you A LOT of money in the long term. Hand me downs, NCT sales, charity shops, online auctions, Netmums nearly new...there are stacks of ways to get fully kitted out without breaking the bank. Clothes, toys, prams/buggies - most of these items can be bought second hand and many will be in pristine condition. Online auctions and sales have stringent rules on selling these days so it's hard to get ripped off, whilst the sheer volume of items means it's increasingly easy to track down perfect products for you and your baby.

Give it a good home and you'll probably find yourself selling it back to another expectant mum in a few months/years time! Check out your local nearly new sale now to see what's on offer.

 

Chat to other mums about buying for baby in our Netmums to be forum.

 

 

 

 

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